Cooking frozen crab legs can be a straightforward and delicious process if you follow the right steps. Here’s a detailed guide on how to prepare and cook frozen crab legs using various methods.
Thawing Frozen Crab Legs
Before cooking, it is highly recommended to thaw your frozen crab legs to ensure even and complete cooking.
Refrigerator Thawing: Place the crab legs in a container and let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight. This method is safe and ensures slow thawing[3][5].
Cold Water Thawing: If you’re short on time, you can thaw the crab legs by submerging them in cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes until the crab legs are completely thawed[3][5].
Cooking Methods
Boiling
Boiling is one of the most common methods for cooking crab legs.
Fill a large pot with enough water to cover the crab legs completely. Add a pinch of salt and any desired seasonings such as Old Bay seasoning, lemon slices, or bay leaves[2][3][4].
Bring the water to a boil, then carefully add the thawed or frozen crab legs.
For frozen king crab legs: Cook for 10-12 minutes.
For thawed king crab legs: Cook for 4-6 minutes.
For frozen snow crab legs: Cook for 5-7 minutes.
For thawed snow crab legs: Cook for 3-4 minutes[2][3][4].
Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the crab legs are heated through.
Steaming
Steaming is another excellent way to cook crab legs without losing their flavor.
Fill a pot with about an inch of water and bring it to a boil. Place a steamer basket over the boiling water[1][3][4].
Add the thawed or frozen crab legs to the steamer basket.
For frozen king crab legs: Steam for 12-15 minutes.
For thawed king crab legs: Steam for 6-8 minutes.
For frozen snow crab legs: Steam for 7-9 minutes.
For thawed snow crab legs: Steam for 4-5 minutes[2][3][4].
Cover the pot and steam until the crab legs are hot and cooked through.
Baking
Baking is a great method to add extra flavor to your crab legs.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) or 400°F (200°C) depending on your preference[1][2][4].
Place the thawed or frozen crab legs on a baking sheet in a single layer.
Brush the legs with melted butter and add any desired seasonings such as garlic, herbs, or lemon juice.
For frozen king crab legs: Bake for 15-18 minutes.
For thawed king crab legs: Bake for 10-12 minutes.
For frozen snow crab legs: Bake for 12-15 minutes.
For thawed snow crab legs: Bake for 8-10 minutes[2][3][4].
Grilling
For a more flavorful and visually appealing option, you can grill the crab legs.
Preheat your grill to 300°F (150°C).
Brush the crab legs with olive oil to prevent sticking.
Place the crab legs on the grill and cook for about 5 minutes on each side, or until they are heated through and have grill marks[4].
Serving
Once the crab legs are cooked, remove them from the heat and serve hot. Here are some tips for serving:
Use crab crackers or kitchen shears to crack open the legs and extract the meat.
Serve with a dipping sauce such as garlic butter, which can be made by mixing melted butter with minced garlic, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt[1][2][4].
Important Facts
Thawing: Always thaw frozen crab legs before cooking to ensure even cooking. You can thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or in cold water by changing the water every 30 minutes[3][5].
Cooking Times:
Boiling:
Frozen king crab legs: 10-12 minutes.
Thawed king crab legs: 4-6 minutes.
Frozen snow crab legs: 5-7 minutes.
Thawed snow crab legs: 3-4 minutes[2][3][4].
Steaming:
Frozen king crab legs: 12-15 minutes.
Thawed king crab legs: 6-8 minutes.
Frozen snow crab legs: 7-9 minutes.
Thawed snow crab legs: 4-5 minutes[2][3][4].
Baking:
Frozen king crab legs: 15-18 minutes.
Thawed king crab legs: 10-12 minutes.
Frozen snow crab legs: 12-15 minutes.
Thawed snow crab legs: 8-10 minutes[2][3][4].
Seasoning: Add seasonings to the water or directly to the crab legs for extra flavor. Common seasonings include Old Bay, garlic, herbs, and lemon juice[2][3][4].
Checking Doneness: The crab legs should be hot all the way through, and the meat should be opaque and firm. You can check by breaking off one of the legs and inspecting the meat[3][4].
By following these steps and guidelines, you can enjoy perfectly cooked and delicious frozen crab legs using your preferred cooking method.
